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Copyright© PMAS-Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, Pakistan http://jaab.uaar.edu.pk
Journal of Applied Agriculture and Biotechnology 2016 1(2): 38−47
ISSN (print): 2415-6728
ISSN (online): 2415-6736
Research article
Effect of vermicompost and phosphorus on crop growth and nutrient
uptake in mungbean
Muhammad Arsalan
1
, Shoaib Ahmed
2
, Junaid Nawaz Chauhdary
3*
, Muhammad Sarwar
4
HIGHLIGHTS
Mungbean is drought resistance crop so it is most suitable for arid regions
Vermicompost is best organic manure that makes nutrient availability to plants readily
Organic fertilizers can be used instead of chemical fertilizers to reduce crop production cost
Authors’ affiliation
1
Barani Agricultural Research
Institute, Chakwal, Pakistan.
2
Land Resources Research Institute,
NARC, Islamabad, Pakistan.
3
Water Management Research
Centre, University of Agriculture,
Faisalabad, Pakistan.
4
Land Resources Research Institute,
NARC, Islamabad, Pakistan.
*Corresponding author
Junaid Nawaz Chauhdary
Email: mjunaidnawaz@yahoo.com
How to cite
Arsalan M., A. Shoaib, J.N.
Chauhdary and M. Sarwar. 2016.
Effect of vermicompost and
phosphorus on crop growth and
nutrient uptake in mungbean. J.
Appl. Agric. Biotechnol., 1(2): 38-47.
ABSTRACT
field experiment was conducted to study the effect of
vermicompost and three different levels of phosphorus
fertilization on nutrient uptake in grain, straw, their total uptake
and yield in mungbean at wheat program research area NARC,
Islamabad. Application of phosphorus and vermicompost plays an
important role in growth, development and maturity of crop and also in
development of roots and nodulation. The soil was low in organic
matter (0.8%), available nitrogen (1.76mg kg
-1
), phosphorus (2.9mg kg
-1
)
and medium in available potassium (120mg kg
-1
). Application of
vermicompost (2 t ha
-1
) with full dose of phosphorus (75 kg P
2
O
5
ha
-1
)
treatment (V1P2) fertilization markedly influenced the nutrient
concentration in grains (2.56% of N, 0.3% of P, 1.23% of K), their uptake
(62 kg ha
-1
N, 12 kg ha
-1
P, 39 kg ha
-1
K) and yield (1410 kg ha
-1
) over
control in mungbean. Economically significant nutrient contents in grain
(2.44% N, 0.37% P, 1.17% K), nutrient uptake (52 kg ha
-1
N, 8.91 kg ha
-1
P, 31.5 kg ha
-1
K) and yield (1282 kg ha
-1
) was observed from the
treatment where half dose of fertilizer (37.5 kg P
2
O
5
ha
-1
) with 2 t ha
-1
vermicompost (V1P1) over control.
Key words: Phosporus, Mungbean, Vermicompost, Nutrient uptake
1. Introduction Mungbean [Vigna radiata (L.) is a
common pulse crop of Pakistan. Due to drought
resistant, it can withstand in arid conditions, and is
successfully cultivated in rain fed areas. Mungbean is
high in protein; 22-24% (Malik, 1994), rich in vitamins
A, B, C and minerals such as potassium, phosphorus
and calcium, which are necessary for human body.
Owing to all these characteristics it is considered a
good substitute of animal protein and forms a
balanced diet when it is taken with cereals (Mansoor,
A